The block and random copolymerization of a series of amino acid and amino ester functionalized norbornenes by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) induced by the well-defined molybdenum [Mo(=N-2,6-Pr-i-C6H3)(=CHC-Me-2)Ph)(OCMe3)(2)] or ruthenium [Ru(PCy)(2)Cl-2(=CHPh)] based initiators is described. The monomers are derived from the amino acids glycine, alanine, and isoleucine or the methyl esters of these ammo acids and either endo- or exo-norborn-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride. Enantiomerically pure monomers afforded optically active polymers, and the mechanism and kinetics of the copolymerizations are investigated. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7985-7995, 2008